Lot 1193
Alexander. Gold Solidus (4.36 g), 912-913. Constantinople. +I?S XRS REX RegnAnτIЧm; Christ Pantokrator seated facing on throne, raising hand in benediction and holding Gospels. Reverse: + Alexand-ROS AЧGЧSτOS Rom'; Alexander, wearing divitision and loros, standing facing on the left, holding globus cruciger and hand to St. Alexander, on the right, standing facing, wearing pallium and colobium, crowning the emperor and holding cross. DOC 2; SB 1737. Extremely Rare and important. Well struck on a full broad flan with complete legends NGC Photo certificate grade VF; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5. Estimated Value $5,000 - UP
In 912 when his brother the emperor Leo VI suddenly died, Alexander, who preferred the wanton luxury of court life over that of politics, became emperor. His reign quickly proved inept, and after denying the tribute that hitherto had been paid annually to the Bulgars, they invaded, resulting in the loss of most of Byzantium's European territories. Alexander's reign was short. He died in 913, and his gold coinage is some of the rarest of all Byzantine gold with fewer than twenty solidi known.
Ex The William Oldknow Collection.
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| Realized $24,000 |
